Backed by The Star’s Somebody’s Daughter appeal – launched in the wake of the Ipswich murders – Talitha Koum is hoping to reach the milestone by September.

Last year the foundations were laid for the new retreat, just north of Ipswich, but now chief executive John Cobbold is appealing to raise enough to build the Hope Centre.

He said “Wouldn’t it be great if 500 individuals, companies or organisations, could donate £1,000 each to get this project underway.”

The charity has already secured a lease on two acres of land at Witnesham, gained full planning permission and the ground works are in place.

Somebody’s Daughter has already donated £20,000 to help kick start the work.

The accommodation blocks have been built up to ground floor level and the landscaping has been completed, including the planting of an orchard of 25 trees dedicated by various supporters of the scheme.

Ipswich MP Ben Gummer said: “The Talitha Koum plans for a dedicated therapeutic centre will further help families who need hope in their lives. Surely we can find 500 companies and individuals in Ipswich able to contribute to this great idea.”

Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese and the charity’s patron, added: “The concept behind Talitha Koum has caught the imagination of a wide variety of people, companies and institutions.

“It is a clear demonstration that people of good will can work effectively to offer change and hope to a very vulnerable group of people.”

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What about all the tax payers who fund their habit through benefits and we cannot afford to heat our homes in the winter. The 500k should come to people who need it and not those who abuse themselves at choice